IRGC Commander Hints at Executing Opposition Leaders
News Brief: In a controversial set of remarks, a top commander from the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) suggested that “the people” would want the death penalty to be imposed on the two leaders of Iran’s opposition movement. Hossein Nejat was referring to Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, who spearheaded the mass protests against the regime during 2009-2011. “These people under house arrest enjoy wonderful amenities. They have swimming pools and access to the internet.
Iranian Judiciary Chief Defends Regime’s Dismal Rights Record
Iran’s Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani dismissed international concern about human rights abuses in Iran and claimed that people of all faiths and backgrounds enjoyed freedom and protection in the Islamic Republic. He also lamented that attacks against Muslims and their places of worship in the West are on the rise and accused Western countries of promoting “Islamophobia.”
Hardline Iranian Cleric Calls Mass Execution “Revolutionary”
Grand Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi has called the execution of thousands of political prisoners in Iran in 1988 “a revolutionary act.” He continued, “There is a group [within the country] that want to seek revenge from the regime and destroy it.” He also alleged that Iranian political dissidents are in
Senior Iranian Delegation Visits Damascus for Talks
Iran’s Fars News Agency reports that a high-level Iranian parliamentary delegation left Tehran for Damascus on January 3 to hold meetings with senior Syrian officials. The chairman of Iranian Parliament’s Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, heads the delegation.
Iran Hosts International “Down with USA” Exhibition
News Brief: On December 29, senior Iranian civilian and military officials participated in the closing ceremony of The Third International Grand Award of “Down with USA” held in Tehran. The organizers of the event had asked artists, photojournalists, cartoonists and documentary-makers from all over the world to submit their works for the competition and promised monetary rewards for the winners.
Heydar Moslehi, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s special representative to the Islamic Republic Guards Corps (IRGC), has launched a scathing attack on Western embassies in Tehran.
Khamenei’s Tight Control over Iran’s Missile Arsenal
Hassan Firouzabadi, up until recently the Chief of Staff of Iranian Armed Forces, has revealed the country’s supreme leader is intensely involved in managing Iran’s missile industry.
Qassem Suleimani in Aleppo Angers Russian Generals
News Brief:Shia News, an Iranian website, commented that the sudden appearance of Qassem Suleimani, the head of Iran’s Quds Force, in the streets of Aleppo after it was recaptured by Iran-led forces generated anger among the top Russian military brass.
Iranian Military Base for Russia Illustrates Tehran’s Real Agenda
On December 27, Iran’s Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan gave a lengthy interview about Iranian regional policy objectives. In his remarks, Dehghan made it clear that Russia can count on access to military sites on Iranian soil should circumstances require it.
IRGC Sees Victory in Syria Vital to Expanding Its Hegemony in Region
A top Iranian general has said the “liberation” of the Syrian city of Aleppo was a “strategic” victory for Iran over the United States and regional countries. “When Aleppo was liberated, polici
